Rohtang Pass Current Affairs - 2019

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated a 1210-meter span-bridge over the river Ravi in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

About the Bridge

The bridge over river Ravi at Keerian – Gandial is a lifesaver for the people in the region. The bridge constructed at a cost of Rs 158.84 crore is a step forward in improving inter-state connectivity.

The bridge will be of great help to 2,20,000 people living on the two sides Kathua in Jammu, and Pathankot in Punjab. This will save both time and cost by reducing the distance between two places Keerian – Gandial from 45 kms to 8.6 kms.

River Ravi

The River Ravi originates near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh and drains the area between the Pir Panjal and the Dhaola Dhar ranges. The river Ravi enters plains of Punjab near Madhopur and enters Pakistan downstream of Amritsar. It merges into the river Chenab a little above Rangpur in Pakistani Punjab.

India’s first electric bus service was launched at Rohtang Pass area in Himachal Pradesh. It is first of its kind electric bus service for tourist spot in India and first in world at an altitude of 13,000 feet.

The electric bus service will ply between Manali and Rohtang and there will be 10 electric buses in fleet. It was launched amid concern over environment degradation in Rohtang Pass area due to plying of diesel taxis. The initiative aims to curb carbon emission which is resulting in melting of glaciers in Himalayas.

Background

Himachal Pradesh Government was forced to introduce zero-emission transportation facility in ecologically fragile areas after National Green Tribunal (NGT) had taken stringent step of imposing restriction on entry of vehicles to Rohtang Pass. The NGT had shown concern over melting of glaciers in Rohtang Pass area as they were receding at an alarming rate of 19-20 meters per year. The entry of vehicles were restricted to 1,000 vehicles per day, including both diesel and petrol vehicles, however, electric and CNG vehicles are exempted.

Rohtang Pass

Rohtang Pass (elevation 3,978 m) is high mountain pass on eastern Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas around 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh.